NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 98: He is Promise!
Oh, Athena, how have you managed to anger Queen Hera again?
Glancing upward and listening to the thunder crackle across the sky, Promise seemed surprisingly calm, after all, he had already gotten somewhat used to it.
But he hadn't considered who was ultimately to blame from the beginning.
"Respected Queen Hera, I have come to fulfill our agreement," he spoke, holding the pure white feathered paintbrush.
Hearing this, Hera snapped back to her senses and hurriedly calmed herself, striving to regain the dignified and beautiful image of the queen she usually presented, especially in front of one of her most cherished followers.
Though, admittedly, her image had been shattered a long time ago.
"However, we may need to wait a few more days, as I need to do something to bring glory to Queen Hera," Promise paused slightly before continuing with a smile, "because, Queen Hera, you once said that when I present that painting to you, you hoped the moment would be as it was the night with the Moon Goddess Artemis."
"I thought about it for a long time and finally chose glory."
Hera was momentarily taken aback by Promise's words and recalled their first meeting.
She had initially cast her gaze upon Promise due to a misunderstanding, believing him to be the Jason spoken of by the Fates, the one to bring her glory.
But over time, Promise indeed became one who brought her glory... though unbeknownst to her, that number had somewhat expanded.
"Therefore, I need to undertake a battle, where I will truly complete the subjugation of a monster, to offer glory to you, Queen Hera."
In ancient Greek times, battle equaled an offering to the gods = glory, and in fact, up to this day, Promise had never truly experienced a proper subjugation.
Even the hunt for the Calydonian boar had ended with a gift from Athena.
If anything, capturing the winged horse Pegasus was perhaps his closest encounter.
"My child, haven't you always brought me glory?" Hera responded with a smile upon hearing this.
Not only that, but the number of devout followers praying daily to her had increased, such as the river goddess Aegina and the princess Io...
It all seemed a bit strange!
"It's not the same," Promise shook his head and said to Queen Hera, "my revered goddess, please watch over me, watch over your follower, as I offer glory to you."
Hera paused before responding, her eyes locking with Promise's clear emerald gaze, and ultimately she sighed and agreed.
In reality, such glory should have been offered at the end of the Golden Fleece journey, as that would have been most perfect.
At the gods' watchful endpoint, Promise would wield his paintbrush, depicting the Argo and its heroes.
It could be at dawn or dusk when the heroes gathered together, laughing boisterously, heartily drinking.
At that moment, they would have completed their trial, returning home with glory in full measure.
The turbulent sea reflected their shadows, with the sun shining over the sea, causing spreading ripples.
And the most revered goddess in ancient Greece, Queen Hera, would stand in the distance, gazing at them with a dignified yet gentle look.
But having interacted with the gods for so long, and understanding Hera well, Promise had long realized that these gods really had little patience.
And even without a vow from Hephaestus, he would have chosen to paint the pantheon of gods, having received the paintbrush.
In the end, the nearly invisible, grass-eating winged horse, Pegasus, finally spread its silver wings again, under the watchful eyes of Hera and Hestia, carrying Promise towards the sky.
"You don't seem very happy, Hera," the beautiful pink-haired goddess Hestia then said, somewhat puzzled, to the worried Hera beside her.
After all, this was an offering of glory meant for her, which logically should have pleased her.
"Sister Hestia, although the child has accomplished many miracles so far, even astonishing the gods multiple times, when it comes to battle..."
Hera hesitated, then gave a bitter smile to Hestia.
The latter instantly reacted, curiously asking, "Could it be that the child has never experienced a proper battle... Didn't Athena prepare him for any?"
"Athena personally intervened, helping the child to subdue monsters," Hera replied lightly.
Hestia fell silent at once.
"You all... are you perhaps too indulgent with this child?"
"But I can understand it; looking at him, I really worry that a gust of wind could blow him over... If that's the case, why not just stop him?" Hestia said, looking puzzledly at her sister.
"Sister, you've only known him for a short time, so you don't understand," Hera replied with a resigned smile, "This child might seem easy to talk to, but he's unexpectedly stubborn.
Once he decides on something, no matter how difficult, he'll face it head-on."
"The matter with Sister Demeter, we were all watching him, and he just needed to step back, or even just trip by accident, and we would have instantly intervened, taking over that marriage, but..."
Hera sighed again.
Hestia rolled her eyes at her, saying, "I feel like you're not complaining but bragging to me, such a lovable child; if you find him troublesome and don't want him anymore, then give him to me; I don't mind!"
"Impossible, don't even think about it!" Hera replied excitedly to Hestia, immediately watching her with a wary face.
This made Hestia feel both annoyed and amused as she spoke, "Okay, I was just teasing, Hera, when did you become so sensitive?"
Hera paused for a moment, then replied solemnly, "I've heard such words more than once; at first it was Athena, then Goddess Themis, then sister Demeter, and even Hephaestus now..."
She didn't continue,
Initially, you all said you weren't interested in him!
Hestia was at a loss for words at that moment, even feeling pity for Hera, although only momentarily.
"Cough, then, Hera, do you think that child can fulfill his promise to you?"
"Of course," Hera replied directly, her amber eyes gazing towards the sky in the direction Promise had left, her gaze tinged with worry but predominantly filled with pride.
"Because he is my follower, and... he is Promise!"
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